Method of drying incandescent electric-lamp bulbs



(No Model.)

A. L. REINMANN.

METHOD OF DRYING INOANDESGENT ELECTRIC LAMP BULBS. No. 355,714. Patented Jan. 11, 1887.

WITNESSES: 5 INVENTOR,

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N. PUERS. Phmollilhognpher. Washinglm DY C.

NiTEn STATES PATENT rrics.

ALBERT L. REINMANN, or PITTSBURG, PENnsY-LVANIA.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 355,714, dated January 11, 1887.

Application filerl August 7, 1886.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, ALBERT L. REINMANN, residing at Pittsburg, in the county of Allegheny and State of Pennsylvania, a citizen of the United States, have invented or discovered certain new and useful Improvements in the Method of Drying Incandescent Electric-Lamp Bulbs, of which improvements the following is a specification.

In the accompanying drawings, which make part of this specification, Figurel is a sectional elevation of the apparatus employed in carrying out my invention. Fig. 2 is a similar view,

the section being taken on the line w 00, Fig. 1. Figs. 3 and 4 are enlarged sectional views of the clamp, the section being the same as those shown in Figs. 1 and 2, respectively.

The invention herein relates to certain improvements in the method of manufacturing incandescent electric lamps, whereby the inner surface of the bulb is prevented from being spotted during the operation of inserting the filaments and finishing the lamp. The bulb as it comes from the glass house is closed at the top, and the neck is in such a condition as to require considerable change in form and dimensions for the reception and sealing of the filaments and leading in wires.

The first step in the operation of finishing the lamp is to open the upper end and attach a short tube thereto, which serves as a blowpipe during subsequent manipulations necessary for sealing in the filaments. During these operations it is necessary to apply internal pressure to the bulbs and their connections while heated, and this is done by the workman blowing through the tube at the top with his mouth. The air thus forced in is necessarily very moist, and the subsequent cooling of the bulb causes the moisture in the air within the bulb to condense and form drops on the inner walls of the bulb, and these drops collecting dust dry and form spots, which detract from the appearance of the lamp when finished.

The object of the invention herein is to so treat the bulbs during the operation above Serial No. 210,269. (No model.)

the method substantially as hereinafter described and claimed. I I

In carrying out my invention the bulb 1 is opened at the top, and the tube2 is secured thereto in the usual manner. as the tube has been secured to the bulb, the end of the tube is'inserted into the opening in the rubber plug 3, let into the working table or bench 4, as shown. Into the opposite end of the opening in the plug is inserted one end of a rubber pipe, 5, the opposite end of said pipe being connected to the pipe 6,1eading to a fan or other suitable source of w ind-supply. The air from the pipe 5, rushing through the tube and bulb, will thoroughly remove all moist air and moisture from the bulb. .In order to regulate the flow of air through the tube 5, the latter is passed between the table and a movable board, 7, mounted on rods 8, depending from the table. This board is normally held up against the pipe 5 by the springs9,

surrounding'the rods 8, and interposed be tween the movable board and a stationary board, 10, slipped onto the lower ends of the rods and supported by the nuts 11. The tension of the springs9 is such as to compress the pipe together'when freeto act, and the board 7 is drawn down from the pipe by the treadle 12, to which it is connected bya rod, 13. By these or any'other suitable meansas, for example, a valve in either of the pipes 5 and 6 the operator is able to control the flow of air to the bulb. r

' After the tube2 has been secured to'the bulb and the moist air removed, the neck of the bulb is heated, and then properly shaped for the reception of the filaments and the leadingin'wires and the sealing in of the latter, during which operation it is necessary to blow into the bulb, thereby filling the latter with moist air. Immediately after each blowing operation by the workman, the tube 2 is inserted in plug 3 and the treadle depressed, thereby permitting dry air to pass through the bulb, thus As soon removing the moisture therefrom. If it is necessary to apply internal pressure to the bulb .after the neck has been sealed, the tube 2 may by the workman, the moist air being immediately removed by exhausting the air from the bulb while the latter is in a heated condition, as fully described and claimed in Patent No. 323,205, granted to me July 28, 1885. Even if internal pressure be applied, as above stated, by air from the pipes 5'and 6, I prefer that the bulbs be exhausted while heated, thus insuring the certain removal of all moisture.

If desired, the air from the pipes 5 and 6 may be passed through any suitable drying material in a manner well known in'the art.

I claim herein as my invention As an improvement in the art of manufacturing incandescent electric lamps, the method I 5 in wires, and then exhausting the air from the 20 bulb while the same is in a heated condition, substantially as set forth.

In testimony whereof I have-hereunto set my hand.

ALBERT L. REINMANN.

NVitnesses:

R. H. WHITTLESEY, DARWIN S. WoLco'r'r. 

